Endless snow ...

The'Real Dora' doesn't think much of this at all.   But if you had six-inch legs, you too would complain of having to drag your belly through the snow to do your rounds of the garden.  This morning, all her haunts are still covered in eight inches of virgin snow.  My back garden faces North'East, and hasn't thawed for the past three days, so her investigation of the birds in the trees (mainly magpies which she takes particular exception to), and her sharp warning to the dog next door, who has the cheek to bark when she wants to snooze, have all had to be put on ice, so to speak.   She spends most of the time in her house, whenever she can't get into the kitchen to investigate the cooking smells.  

As for me, I was never so well prepared for Christmas - puddings done, cake iced, presents bought, tree trimmed, cards all posted (in time, this year!).   Now I know why I was always in a heap on Christmas week - too muich galavanting.  I must take a note in my diary for next year - 'Pray for snow,  to keep me in the house'.

Here's my Christmas Wish for you all - (with an appeal for your indulgence - excuse the liberties with the language)

A Happy Christmas, one and all
May your Yuletide be a ball
As the froslty sparkle glitters
(and your money, hard earned,  fritters)
There is nothing half as nice
As mulled wine, well laced with spice.
'Round the festive table gathers
All those loved ones (mums and fathers),
Friends and fam'ly, stories telling,
Some in tune (others yelling!)
Magic mem'ries - Christmas past,
Sure of Santa - can it last?
May the New Year bring you pleasure,
Health and wealth (not too much leisure).
May your path be bright and cheery
Blest with fortune, good and meerry,
Full of laughter, fun and frolic
(not to mention alcoholic)
See the New Year in with glee.
Best wishes to you all - from me!  
      
(And, no!, I haven't been at the sauce - it's too early in the day!)

Snow and Ice

I'm hoping we're at an end to this unaccustomed snowy beauty.   I'm a bit  chuffed-out, looking at snowy pictures.   The reality of it is a severe dose of cabin-fever - I drove my car for the first time to-day, since last saturday week and I'm looking forward to getting back to class to-morrow.   The main roads were OK to-day, but side roads and pavements were still treacherous.   I went to the library in Drumcondra and had to help a woman cross the road.   She was stuck and couldn't move off the piece of ice she was standing on.   I hung onto a lamp post and gave her my other arm to lean on.  She managed to slide, two-footed, to the kerb and got on to the pavement.   I left her handing on to a railiong - I hope she got home safely.

Roll on Summer!

The 'real' Dora

The 'real' DORA

St Patrick's Day 1964 - Dublin

New Ross FCA Pipe Band. St Patrick's Day Parade Dublin 1964.

The Recession that Changed my Life

The Recession that Changed my life!

1973 was a landmark year in my family’s journey. Before redundancy became popular, my husband – who was the main breadwinner – lost his job.

This seemed like a disaster at the time, but we knuckled down and, to my secret joy, we decided that I should look for a temporary job to tide us over.

My temporary job lasted for eight years! Luckily, my dear husband got a job within the first year. Family gathered around to help with three growing boys.

It was the beginning of a very enjoyable career – (more later

Thoughts on a Recession

If there is a difference in the recession we are experiencing, from those we endured in the seventies, eighties, and nineties, it is surely in the scale of the problem. We lived through previous recessions with an eye to that light at the end of the tunnel that would lead us out into the sunshine again. Sadly, history is repeating itself, with a vengence, as we watch the collapse of industry, with our graduates emigrating and unemployment rising.

Not since the 80's, when Charles Haughey told us that we were all 'living beyond our means', have the people been so incensed with anger and frustration at the failure of our leaders to run the country. This time, there is public fury over the fact that we are paying for the sins of the few. Added to that is a sense of outrage that those accountable are still shielded from the rigours of the law, and are actually using the law for protection.

The greatest loss to the country is the destruction of public confidence and respect, what little there was, for politicians. Do they have any idea what they are doing? I don't expect Brian Lenihan to stand up and say he hasn't a bog's notion where it will all end, but a grain of honesty would go a long way. It will be an unenviable task for whomever forms the next gorernment; no doubt we will all take the pills and pay the bills.

The tragedy is the waste of money in the years of the Celtic Tiger - schools and hospitals which should have been put in order were left, or closed down as a solution. The chief of the HSE, Brendan Drumm, constantly said that the problem in the health service wouldn't be improved by 'throwing money at it'; now they say they haven't got any money. So, nobody wins?
(I'm sorry if this seems gloomy, but it's the fourth draft and I just can't lighten it) Cheers!

Intro to me!

I am an 'older' learner (one of the 'Silver Surfers') and I have been with the ILP since the beginning. 'In the beginning was ILP -- no, I'm getting carried away).

When I am not blogging, I am a mother to my family of sons, daughters-in-law and grandchild (just one).

I love music and often am caught by by son (who lives with me), sitting up half the night either listeningto U Tube favourites or scribbling at my latest effort at literary pursuit.

I grow vegetables in my garden and in my polytunnel.

I am interested in current affairs, particularly that which affects older people. (Watching anxiously for the budget}.